EL MONTE – Police are crediting an anonymous tip for the recent capture of two people suspected of attempted murder.

El Monte police Detective Ralph Batres said Sergio Gonzalez, 24, and Carina Gonzalez, 24, of San Bernardino were arrested March 28 and booked on attempted murder charges for a shooting in August 2005.

“Without this tip the suspects would have never been caught,” Batres said.

Police said the information was received from an anonymous person who called the WeTip hot line and told authorities the couple was living in San Bernardino.

“After the shooting the suspects fled to Mexico and stayed there for two years,” Batres said. “Then we got the tip.”

Batres said El Monte detectives went to San Bernardino and did surveillance on the suspects. They were taken into custody a few days after the tip was received.

Batres said the shooting happened in August 2005 in the parking lot of Chuck E Cheese at 45674 Peck Road.

The victim, Joe Sandoval, 26, of El Monte was shot once in the head and once in the back but survived.

The motive for the shooting is still unknown.

The suspects are each being held on $1 million bail and are scheduled for trial June 20 in Pomona Superior Court.

Batres said when the tip came in detectives were still working the case but did not know the suspects’ whereabouts.

“It’s nice to know that the system still works,” Batres said. “People need to know if they give us a lead we will work it.”

WeTip offers rewards up to $1,000 for anonymous information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

El Monte police Chief Ken Weldon praised the WeTip program.

“Most people are afraid to get involved, so this is a way to get information where we otherwise wouldn’t be able to,” he said. “And the reward is great too. It has proven to be very helpful, and a viable resource. We are very fortunate to have it. It has helped police get leads to a case that would have otherwise gone cold.”